Ignition apparatus



Oct. 20, 1931. H. E. NoRvlEL IGNITION APPARATUS Filed March 25,` 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 20, 1931. H. E. NoRvlEl.

IGNITION APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1926 2 sheets-sheet 2 oouuooooo Patented Oct. 20, 1931 asians UNITED STATES PAT'EII'T` OFFICE HARRY E. NORVIEL, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, HEILOO-REMY CORPORATION, F DAYTON, OHIO, rA CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE IGN ITION APPARATUS Application led March 25, 1928. Serial No. 97,457. H A

This invention relates to devices for preventing the unauthorized use or ti;v heft of an automotive vehicle and particularl to key operated devices for controlling the 1gnition f system of an internal combustion engine.

` @ne Way of rendering the ignition operative although the ignition switch is locked in Oil position, is to bridge the switch terminals leading to the battery and ignition coil respectively. One of the objects of the present invention is to prevent inanipulation of the ignition apparatus in this manner. This object is accomplished by combining an ignition coil and a key operated ignition switch in a unitary structure which A can be disassembled only after the switch has been turned bythe key to On position.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the fol- 26. lowing description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the present inlvention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of a unitary coil land switch structure constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end View looking in the direction of arrow 2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an end View, partly in section, looking in the direction of arrow 4 of Fig. 1, showing the coil and switch unit removed from its mounting bracket, the section through the switch case being taken on 'the line 4*-4 of Fig. 3. A

Fig. 5 is an end view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 of the ignition coil after being disassembled from the switch case.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram illustrating the use of the present invention.

One form of ignition coil with which the present invention may be used includes a coil housing comprising a metallic tubular portion 2O permanently attached to metallic end covers 21 and 22. The cover 21 supports a non-conducting body 23 having a cable receiving socket 24 provided with a conducting lining member 25 which provides the secondary coil terminal socket which is adapted to receive a'tlexible insulating conductor leading from the secondary circuit of the coil to an ignition distributor. The body 23 supports terminals 2G and 27 connected respectively with the outside 'and insideof layers of windings of a primary ignition coil 28. The coil 28 surrounds a secondary ignition coil 29 having its outside end wire 30 connected with the terminal 26 and its inside end wire 31 connected with the conducting suchet lining member 25. The coils 28 and 29 surround a` non-conducting tube 32 through which a. central core 33 extends. The core 33 is formed preferably by a bundle of relatively small iron wires and the ends of the core are received respectively by recesses 34 and 35 provided respectively by the ncn-con i ducting body 23 and the non-conducting body 36. It is apparent from Fig. l that the vbody 36 will be maintained in the position shown between the core 33 and the end cover 22 after the parts shown have been assembled. The space between the primary winding 28 and the housing member 20 is occupied by external magnetic circuit members 37 which may be provided by small wires or thin plates. The ignition coil is combined in an unitary structure with a switch having a case 40, for which the ignition coil provides a cover. The coil is attached to the case 40 by means including a ring 41 permanently attached to the housing member 20 and having a iiange 85 42 which is attached by rivets 43 to a iiange 44 of the switch case 40. The cylinder member 45 of a pin tumbler lock is provided with arms 46 which are attached by screws 47 to the switch case 40 which is provided with an aperture suitable for receiving the lcylinder 45. The cylinder 45 supports a rotatable key plug 48 for receiving a proper key49 by which the key lug 48 may be turned. `A plate 50 is attac led lby screws 51 to the plug 95 48 and is att-ached by rivets 52 to a non-conductingplate 53 provided with a metallic insert 54 which is attached to the plate 53 preferably by molding the material ofthe plate about the insert. The conductor 54 consti- 10o tutes the movable contact of the ignition switch and is provided with holes or depressions 55 for receiving the somewhat spherical projections 56 formed on the free ends of leaf spring conductors 57. The conductors 57 are received by grooves 58 provided in a somewhat oblong shaped boss 59 formed integral with the insulating body 36 and projecting through a similarly shaped opening in the coil housing member 22. The contact plates 57 are secured by hollow rivets 60 through which connections are made between the contacts 57 and the ignition primary coil 28. rhese connections are provided by winding one more turn than necessary in the last or outside layer of turns of the primary coil 28. The turn of the outside layer which is nearest the insulating body 36 is cut at its middle point to provide two wires 61 and 62 which connect respectively the outside layer 63 of the primary coil 28 and the preceding inside layer 64 with one of the switch contacts 57 as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 7.

1f the movable contact 54 is turned 90 from the position shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 6 it will be engaged by the contacts 57, the spherical ends 56 snapping into the holes 55 of the contact 54. This operation will connect a battery with the ignition coil primary winding 28 and with an ignition timer 71 as shown in Fig. 7. The secondary coil, which is represented by broken lines 29 in Fig. 7, is connected with a suitable ignition distributor 72. WV hen the timer is operated by the engine ignition impulses will be created in the ignition coil and will be distributed to the various spark plugs 7 3. Turning the key 49 to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 will cause the contact 54 to be disengaged from the contacts 57 so that the ignition apparatus will be rendered inoperative and the engine will stop. When the key is in this latter position it may be removed from the lock.

Hence the ignition switch cannot be operated without the proper key.

ln order to prevent disassembhng of the ignition coil Jfrom the switch case 40 while the ignition switch is locked in Off position, means are provided for rendering the rivets 43 inaccessible to such tools as a chisel by which the heads of the rivets could be removed. This means includes a mounting bracket td which the coil and switch assembly is attached by screws 81 which pass through plain holes in the flanges 42 and 44 and through tapped holes in the bracket 80. The bracket 80 comprises a central disc portion 80a/l which merges into an annulus 806 of channel shaped cross section and then into a circular flange 800. The flange 800 is permanently attached to the instrument or dash board of the vehicle. If a thin metal dash is used alone without a wooden backing as indicated at 82 in Fig. l, the flange 80e is secured to the dash by welding or brazing. But ,if a

wooden backing 83 is used the flange 800 may be secured by screws 84 to the wooden backing 83, and the heads of the screws 84 will be covered by the metal dash 82.

The wall 85 formng a part of the channel shaped section 80?) of bracket 8O is provided with a number of holes 86-or receiving the heads of the rivets 43. Although the screws 8l may be removed, the coil and switch assembly c annot be removed from the bracket 8O while the ignition switch is locked in Off position. This is accomplished by lock controlled device including studs 90 mounted on leaf spring members 91 attached at 92 to the switch case 40. The case 40 is provided with diametrically opposite holes 93 which are aligned with diametrically opposite holes 94 in the bracket 80. The holes 93 and 94 receive the studs 9() which, when in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, will prevent separation of the parts 40 and 80. When the switch is locked, the pins 90 will be held in locking position due to engagement thereof with lugs 95 which are provided by the non-conducting body 53. When the switch is turned to On position, the lugs 95 will be moved out of engagement with the studs 90 so that the springs 91 will be released to move the studs 90 inwardly and disengage them from the bracket 80. Then the 'switch and coil assembly may be removed from the bracket. In order to assist in locating the contact 54 in Off and On positions, the plate 53 is provided with`notches 96 and 97 for receiving the end 98 of a leaf spring 99 which is attached to the switch case 40.

In case the coil should fail to operate it is not necessary to discard the entire switch and coil unit. Afterremoval of this unit from its bracket, the rivets 43 may be removed by ya chisel or a drill and a new coil may be quickly substituted. The only parts of the switch which are discarded are the contacts 57. The lock and the more ex ensive parts of the switch remain assem led with the switch case.

Vhile the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

That is claimed is as follows:

1. Ignition apparatus comprising, in combination, an ignition coil having a housing providing a switch case member; a second switch case member; means for attaching together the switch case members; an ignition switch enclosed by said members; means enclosed by the housing for electrically cbnnecting al coil winding with the switch; means for rendering the attaching means inaccessible for removal; and a key controlled device for operating the switch and for locking said last means in operative position.

2. Ignition apparatus such as defined by ola-im l in. which the means for rendering the attaching means inaccessible for removal is ay hracliet for mounting the apparatus.

3. Ignition apparatus comprising in combination, an ignition coil having a housing providing a switch case member; a second switch case member attached to the housing; a switch having contacts attached to the housing' and a contact connected with the second switch case member, and adapted to engage the other contacts when the switch case members are assembled.

4i IIgnition apparatus, such as defined by claim 8, and having within the coil housing an insulating member supporting certain coil parts, said member extending through the coil housing into the switch case and supporting a switch contact.

5 ignition apparatus, such as defined by claim 3., in which the switch contacts' which attached to the housings are connected respectively with the ending lead 'and the starting lead of adjacent layers of a coil winding. y

(iu In an ignition system for an internal combustion; engine of an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: an element essential in said system for the operation of said engine;`

a first theft-resisting casing at least partially enclosing said element; lock-controlled switch means; connections connecting said switch means in controllingr relation with s aid element; and a second theft-resisting casing at least partially enclosing said switch means and united rim to rim with said iirst theftresisting casing by a joinder securing said casiugs into a single enclosure for preventing at least unauthorized access to said switch means and said connections and at least the adjacent portion of said element, at least not without disruption of said unit.

7L In anV ignition system for an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: the ignition coil of said system; a first theft-resisting casing at least partially enclosing said coil; lock-controlled switch means; connections connecting said switch means in controlling relation with said coil; and a second theft-resisting casing at least partially enclosing said switch means and united rim to rim with said irst theftresisting casing by a joinder securing said casings into a single enclosure for preventing at least unauthorized access to said switch ineens and said connections and at least the adjacent portion of said coil, at least not without disruption of said unit. l

8 In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine ot an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: a first unitary article ot manufacture including7 an element essential in said system for the operation of said engine and first theft-resisting casing supporting and at least partially ei'iclosing said element; a second unitary article ot manufacture including, lock-controlled switch means,Y

and a second theft-resisting casing supporting and at least partially' enclosing said switch means; connections connecting said switch means in controlling relation with said element; and means uniting7 said second theft-resisting casing with said first theftresistiiig casing completely enclosing said switch means and said connections and securingl said casings into a single enclosure for preventing at least unauthorized access to said switch means and said connections and at least the adjacent portion ot said element7 at least not without disruption of said unit.

9. In au ignition system for an internal combustion engine ot an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: a first unitary article of manufacture including', the ignition coil of said system.l and a first theft-resisting casing supporting and at least partially enclosing said coil: a second unitary article of manufacture including9 lock-controlled switch means, and a second theft-resisting casing supporting and at least partially' enclosing said switch means; connections connecting said switch means in controlling relation with said coil: and meansl uniting said second theft-resisting casing with. said first theftresistingeasing completely enclosing said switch means and said connections and securing said casings into a single enclosure for preventing at least unauthorized access to said switch means and said connections and at least the adjacent portion of said coil, at least not without disruption of said unit.

y 10. lin an ignition sys-teni for an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: a tirst unitary article of manufacture'including` an element essential in said system for the operation of said engine, and a iirst theft-resisting casing supporting and at least partially enclosingy said eleinentz a second unitary article ot manufacture-including, a lock-switch and a second theft-resisting casing supporting and at least partially.r enclosing said switch; connections connecting said switch. in controlling relation with said element: and means uniting said second theft-resisting casing with said first theft-resisting casing completely enclosing said switch and said connections and securing said casings into a sina'le enclosure for preventing' at least unauthorised access to said switch and said connections and least the adjacent portion ot said elementa at least not without disruption said uniti ll.. In an ignition system for an internal con'ihustion engine ot an auton'iotive vehicle av unit comprising: a first unitarv article oi manufacture includiuin the ignition coil ot said systcn'n and a first tlieit-icsistintiP casing sup-porting and at least partially enclosing said coil; a. second unitary article ot manufacture includino` loch-switch, and second thefteresisting casing supporting and at least partially enclosing said switch; connections connecting said switch in controlling relation'with said coil; and means uniting said second theft-resisting casing with' said first theft-resisting casingcompletely enclosing said switch and said connections and securing said casings into a single enclosure for preventing at least unauthorized access to said switch and saidconnections and at least the adjacent portion of said coil, at least not without disruption of said unit.

l2. ln an ignition system for an internal combustion engine ot an automotive vehicle, a unit comprising: a first unitary article of manufacture including, an element essential in said lsystem for the operation olf said engine, and a irst theft-resisting casing sup-V porting and at least partially enclosing said element; a second unitary article of manufacture including, lock-controlled switch means, and a second theft-resisting casing supporting and at least partially enclosing said switch means; connections connecting said switch means in controlling relation with said element; and means uniting said second theft-resisting casing with said first theftresisting casing completely enclosing said switch means and said connections and securing said casings into a single enclosure Jfor preventing at least unauthorized access to said switch means and said connections and at least the adjacent portion of said element, at least not without disruption of said unit, saidsecond casing being provided with mounting means for said unit.

13. ln an ignition system for an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle,

a unit comprising-z a first unitary article of manufacture including, the ignition coil of said system, and a :first theft-resisting casing supporting and at least partially enclosing said coil; a secondunitary article of manufacture including, lock-controlled switch means, and a second theft-resisting casing supporting and atleast partially enclosing said switch means, connections connecting said switch means in controlling relation with said coil; and means uniting said second theft-resisting casing with said first theftresisting casing completely enclosing said switch means and said connections and securingl said casings into a single enclosure for preventing at least unauthorized access to said switch means and said connections and at least the adjacent portion of said coil, at least not without disruption of said unit, said second casing being provided with mounting means for said unit.

ln testimony whereof l hereto ama my si gnature.

HARRY E. NORVIEL. 

